Year

More than a dozen twisters accompanied by violent storms have left a trail of death and destruction. At least 30 deaths occurred in Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Mike Corey KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, said he had reports of weather observations from SKYWARN radio amateurs helping timely tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Many people heeded those warnings sheltered in underground bunkers as homes and buildings buckled above them. For example, SKYWARN traced twister movement throughout Arkansas. While forecasters watched the radar, their ears heard reports from SKYWARN that had one of its most professional nets ever. These come from very reliable on-the-ground observations. All are well trained and called upon by the National Weather Service.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) was also involved and prepared, as flood warnings had been issued for some areas.